Shipping and Receiving AreasThese areas consist of the staging and loadaccumulation space used to support the shipping andreceiving functions. These support areas may include asmall office or desk for use by the shipping andreceiving foremen. In general, they do not contain largeamounts of Office space.Truck Dock AreasCertain areas aree used for loading and unloadinghighway trailers. They are located immediately in frontof the truck dock doors that are used for securing theoperating area.Battery Charging and Handling AreasThese areas consist of the spaces allocated to thecharging and handling of vehicle batteries used in thematerial-handling equipment. When electric vehiclesmused, this support area can also include maintenanceareas and other work areas associated with the mainte-nance and upkeep of the material-handling vehicles.Preservation, Packaging, Packing, and CratingAreasThese support areas consist of any area dedicatedto the protection or packaging of any material beingstored or handled in the facility. These areas aregenerally associated with the receiving function ofpresentation and the shipping funnction of packing,packaging, and crating areas.PLANNING THE OFFICE SPACE LAYOUTThe ability to plan an effective and efficient use ofoffice space will be a skill that is useful to youthroughout your career.You can refer to MilitaryHandbook, Facility Planning and Design Guide,MIL-HDBK-1190, for the space criteria to be used.Planning an efficient layout requires a great deal ofthought, study, and a thorough knowledge of thefunctions for which facilities are to be provided. Whena revised plan is not too radically different from thepresent layout, it maybe possible to make the changesat once. When extensive revisions are indicated,expensive changes may be required and may have to bepostponed until a future date. Strive for the bestpossible solution at the least possible cost. Many timesinexpensive substitutions can be made by using familiaritems in a new way or by capitalizing on availabletalents.Some important items to be considered in preparinglayouts are discussed in this section. No effort is madeto present a magic plan that can be adapted to fit everysituation. To some extent, a good layout depends uponhaving an efficient organization in the beginning.The effective use of office space is an importantconsideration of the supervisor. Like any other part ofsupply, the office should be designed for production. Apoor arrangement of office space wastes time andenergy by failing to provide the means for effectivework habits. When conditions are such that there is noplace to put needed documents or publications, thetelephone is on the wrong desk or on the wrong side ofthe desk, lighting is inadequate, personnel are seatedbeneath a ceiling vent or facing a window or wall, theflow of work is uneven. Again, when personnel whodo detailed or repetitious work are located so that theyare constantly interrupted by traffic flow, then the resultwill obvious] y be less productive.An office could be defined as a work area forhandling information or a production area with dataprocessing equipment. Office planning could then bedefined as determining the arrangement of all physicalcomponents into a coordinated unit that can mosteffectively handle the volume of work and the type ofinformation necessary to carry out a mission.WorkflowThe movement of paperwork into and through theoffice is a fundamental consideration in determining thearrangement of the physical units. Careful planning isrequired to provide a minimum amount of travel fromdesk to desk and to prevent the basic circulation patternsfrom becoming clogged. In an office where largevolumes of documents are handled on an individualbasis, the flow of work will usually form a constantpattern. The arrangement of components, therefore,can and should be designed to accommodate the flowof paperwork. In contrast, in an office where there isless volume and/or the paperwork is batch processed,the flow of paperwork should not be the dominatingfactor in determining the office layout.ObjectivesOffice layout consists of several objectives thatshould accomplish the following:1.2.3.4.5.Produce a smooth flow of paperworkUse space effectively to assist good supervisionLocate equipment, machines, and aislesconvenientlyAdd to the comfort of the people who work therePresent a favorable appearance2-7